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Home » Streatham High Road Improvements Business surveys - August 2011

Streatham High Road Improvements Business surveys - August 2011

Business surveys were undertaken in Astoria Parade, Beaumont Parade, De Montefort Parade, High Parade, High Road, Leigh Hall Parade and Streatham Court. Of the responses, 46% of businesses were retail, 33% service and 21% leisure. Of the respondents, 29% were employees of the business, 18% were the proprietors and 54% were the managers.

When asked whether they agreed that the Phase 3A improvement works had
improved the area, the overwhelming majority (83%) believed they had, with 11%
undecided and only 5% disagreeing.

The majority of businesses (78%) thought that these improvements should also be
continued further along the High Road.

When asked whether they thought the proposals had had a positive impact on their businesses, 18% agreed that it had, 32% were undecided whilst 49% thought it had not. This result probably relates however, to the fact that not all businesses were located close to the Phase 3A improvements.

The responses to suggested changes on the High Road are summarised in Table 4.1. These show that the majority of businesses (59%) think that the central reservation planters should be removed with only 15% stating that it shouldn’t be. There is an even greater support (80%) for improved pedestrian crossings.

The majority of businesses (82%) would also like to see more parking, although there was less consensus on whether there should be more disabled car parking, with 41% considering that this was important. No businesses thought that there should be less car parking.

As with the pedestrian survey responses, the majority of businesses thought there was a need for improved maps and signage (72%), lighting (76%), shrub planting (70%) and street trees (74%).

A similar proportion of businesses (26%) were in favour of widening the pavements, although there was significant support (77%) for improving the pavements.

With regards to seating and spaces, 34% of businesses felt that there should be more or new seating, however the majority did not want this (42%) or felt it wasn’t important (14%).

Views on whether an events/ market space should be provided were mixed with 49% of businesses stating that they either did not want one, or felt that it was not important in comparison to those that thought it was important/ very important (43%). The need for space for pavement cafes also provoked mixed views, with 43% thinking that this was important/ very important and 55% either not wanting this or thinking that it was not important.

Improved cycle parking was not seen as a priority for businesses with 61% stating that it was not required or not important. Just under a quarter (23%) considered that it was important/ very important.

Table 4.1: Responses to the importance of potential future improvements

Very
Important
Important
Undecided
Not
important
Do not
want

Removal of the central
reservation planter
34%
25%
13%
12%
15%

Improved pedestrian
crossings
58%
22%
4%
13%
2%

More car parking
64%
18%
4%
10%
4%

More disabled parking
22%
19%
14%
38%
7%

Less car parking
0
0
0
73%
27%

Keep same amount of
car parking
1%
3%
1%
67%
27%

Improved lighting
42%
34%
14%
9%
1%

Improved maps and
signage for pedestrians
36%
36%
12%
14%
2%

Widened pavements
11%
15%
8%
35%
31%

Improved pavements
46%
31%
7%
14%
42%

More/ new seating on
the pavement
7%
27%
10%
14%
42%

More space for
pavement cafes
18%
15%
12%
26%
29%

New spaces for events
such as markets
16%
27%
7%
24%
25%

Improved cycle parking
7%
16%
15%
45%
16%

More shrub planting
40%
30%
9%
10%
12%

More street trees
51%
23%
9%
5%
12%

There were generally few responses when asked if they had any further comments on the Phase 3A works or ideas for further improvements. Those that did comment noted:

Phase 3A caused more traffic jams (2)

Does not change anything (1)

Looks better/ positive for area (5)

Looks better - attracts more people (1)

Need more railings to stop jay walking (1)

No direct impact on business but nicer environment (1)

No impact on business (1)

Pedestrians at risk (1)

The works disrupt business (1)

Too far away (19)

Works need doing quicker- take too long (1)

(the numbers in brackets refer to the number of people that made the response